Tuscaloosa's newest Mapco can now sell beer, wine

Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 11:10 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | It took weeks of effort, but Tuscaloosa's new Mapco Express Inc.-owned convenience store is licensed to sell alcohol.

Against the wishes of company officials, the store at the intersection of Bear Creek Road and Alabama Highway 69 South was forced to open last month with only the ability to promise customers that beer and wine sales were imminent.

A City Hall requirement for an FBI-performed background check prevented the company from obtaining the proper licenses in time. The challenges faced by Mapco Express Inc., a publicly traded corporation that operates more than 400 stores across the Southeast, led the City Council to alter its application requirements for alcohol sales.

The changes allowed Mapco to seek the council's approval for the beer and wine licenses Tuesday night without an FBI check.

The applications were approved unanimously, and company officials said the beer cooler and wine shelves could be stocked as early as this evening.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | It took weeks of effort, but Tuscaloosa's new Mapco Express Inc.-owned convenience store is licensed to sell alcohol.</p><p>Against the wishes of company officials, the store at the intersection of Bear Creek Road and Alabama Highway 69 South was forced to open last month with only the ability to promise customers that beer and wine sales were imminent.</p><p>A City Hall requirement for an FBI-performed background check prevented the company from obtaining the proper licenses in time. The challenges faced by Mapco Express Inc., a publicly traded corporation that operates more than 400 stores across the Southeast, led the City Council to alter its application requirements for alcohol sales.</p><p>The changes allowed Mapco to seek the council's approval for the beer and wine licenses Tuesday night without an FBI check.</p><p>The applications were approved unanimously, and company officials said the beer cooler and wine shelves could be stocked as early as this evening.</p>